Frequently Asked Questions

The Apple Triathlon is sanctioned by Triathlon BC. As such we are insured through them.

Existing TriBC Member?

You are covered through your 2019 membership and CCN will register your membership and you will not be required to purchase additional insurance.

From BC but not a TriBC Member?

If you plan on doing a few races then the cost, along with additional benefits, may mean that a full TriBC Membership is worth purchasing. You can do that on the TriBC website HERE.

From outside of British Columbia?

A $15 Day of Race insurance will be required in you are not a member of TriBC, Alberta Triathlon Association or Triathlon Saskatchewan. Please purchase this during registration.

As with most events there is a no refund, no transfer policy.

This is highlighted on the REGISTRATION page on our website and also on the CCN (Registration Company) website prior to signing up.

Your race packs will be picked up prior to the race.

Package pickup is available on Friday at Saturday. For up to date times and location please see the SCHEDULE page.

• Sunday racers can pick up their packages on either Friday or Saturday.
• Saturday racers will need to pick up their race packs on Friday.

Athletes in the Sprint and Standard Age Group races will drop their bikes in transition the night before their race. All other athletes will bring their bike on race morning.

Due to an early race start for some athletes ALL BIKES for the Sprint and Standard race ONLY will be dropped off / checked in to transition the night prior to the race.

This minimizes the rush on race morning and also ensures the transition is less busy while the races are in progress. Athletes will be allowed into transition at all times but in controlled numbers. This is to ensure those racing are not impeded. Please ensure you access transition as little as possible once the race waves start.

Only athletes with wristbands will be allowed into transition. No spectators. No friends. No family. No dogs. No hamsters.

You will drop your bike into transition the night before the race. Nothing else.

Rack your bike by the saddle. Your bike should face the way you are going to leave.

The morning of the race you can set up your transition with your bike and run equipment. Ensure you sort this tight to your bike and by the bikes front wheel.

Only items you are going to use in the race can be left in transition

No boxes, no bags etc. Just bike helmets, bike shoes, running shoes, sunglasses, cap .... whatever you need for the actual race is allowed in

Usually in a triathlon you get to wear a wetsuit. This is always temperature dependant and in line with the rules. If the water is above 22?C then wetsuits will not be allowed.

If the water is above 22C then wetsuits will not be allowed.

The Apple Triathlon is sometimes a 'No Wetsuit' swim. That means no wetsuit, no sleeveless wetsuit, no neoprene shorts or similar. The water temperature will be taken on race day. An announcement will be made before the race starts on both Saturday and Sunday.

If it is a non wetsuit swim and you choose to wear a swim skin or similar then it must be worn for the entire event. You can add clothes from the swim. You are not allowed to remove clothes if it is a non wetsuit swim.

The whole wetsuit 'issue' is not something to worry about too much. There is a certain amount of comfort in wearing one, some added buoyancy and a reduced swim time. But that's it. It's not magic, and you will be perfectly fine without one. Relax in the swim and make sure you train both with and without your wetsuit to get comfortable should either scenario occur. Do that and not only will it not be a big deal but you'll have one up on your competitors!

train both with and without your wetsuit to get comfortable should either scenario occur

Not wearing a wetsuit does pose another problem however. You need clothing that is not going to slow you down in the water. Usually your bike and run kit would be covered by a wetsuit, without the wetsuit that uncovered kit is going to create a lot of drag. Way too much drag. The swim will be a struggle if you do that.

So what to wear?

Keep it easy. Keep it simple. Ideally you want the least amount of hassle as possible combined with the least amount of drag in the water.

Men - Just wear tight fitting tri shorts for the swim. Once you get go to transition on the bike simply throw on a top.

Women - Just wear a swimsuit with tri shorts over the top for the swim. You are good to go for the race. Add a top in transition if you wish but some women wear a swimsuit only (or swimsuit and tri shorts) for the entire race at shorter races. Just wearing a swimsuit is very easy; less padding on the bike than wearing tri shorts though.

If you do decide to add clothing in transition be aware that pulling on clothing when you are wet takes time and will add quite a few seconds to your race, if not a minute or two! Choose your added clothing wisely. Stretchy fabric clings and stretches on wet skin so a vest top, without sleeves, helps alleviate trying to pull fabric up your arms. Wet skin also leaves your arms in all sorts of odd angles as you desperately try to wrestle a tight top down your back once it is over your head.

TOP TIP: Try rolling up your top, from the waist up to the arms and leaving it like that in transition. Then, after the swim, you can place it over your head, get your arms in and 'unroll' the top down your body to avoid the clinging conundrum.

Tri Suits - These tight fitting all-in-one suits can seem like a great option. And the right one is also the best option. But be aware that, unless it is a tight fitting suit with pockets that will not sag and collect water, even a tri suit can slow you down. Proper short distance tri suits have either covered pockets or no pockets at all for that reason. An (even slightly) baggy tri suit with gaping pockets is worse than tri shorts and a change in transition.

NEVER, EVER, EVER try anything new on race day

One rule is NEVER, EVER, EVER try anything new on race day. Always practice prior to race day anything you plan to do on race day. Get in the pool with tri shorts over your swimsuit, try riding in your swimsuit, try putting your clothing on wet .... do all of that. Get it dialled in. Be a pro on race day. Apart from being able to do it fast and efficiently you will reduce stress by being comfortable with everything you are about to do that day.

We don't know!

It will be wet. That we do know. We also know that in previous years it has not been entirely un-common for it to be a non wetsuit swim. history would indicate that a hot summer in the lead up to the race might allow the lake temperature to get up to the 'non wetsuit' temperature when measured on race day.

If the weeks leading up to the race have not been that hot, under 30 for example, then the lake temperature will remain lower.

External factors, such as wind churning up the lake and mixing in the colder deep water, can also affect the race day decision.

We recommend train for both a wetsuit and non wetsuit swim and also establishing (and training in) what you will wear in both instances.

In our experience the nerves that relatively novice open water swimmers get prior to the swim completely dissipate after the swim actually starts. Once you get going, you are then in control and you're good to go.

• Wetsuits are great but not essential. They add a little bouyancy and might make your swim a touch easier.
• Take it easy. Swim smooth and in control, this isn't the section of the race you need to be pushing things!
• Went out a bit fast? Not unusual. Dial the pace back, get your breathing nice and controlled. Still having issues? Breast stroke a little as it's easier to get your breathe back. Still having issue? Make your way over to a support vessel (lifeguard, stand up paddle board, kayak, whatever) and just hold on.
• You can hang out at a support vessel to get your breathe back and it's totally within the rules. Once you are ready then simply start swimming again. You can do this numerous times.
• As long as you do use the vessel to move forward you will not be disqualified.
• If you are in shallow water you can stand up but you are not allowed to walk, run, crawl or move forward in any way other than by swimming. Stand up, get your breathe, relax, then start swimming again. This applies everywhere other than at the swim start (you can run until deep enough to start swimming) and the end of the swim (once you hit shallow ground near the swim exit you can stand and run or walk then too).
• You can use any stroke you like. Freestyle, breast, back stroke. You can even use Butterfly but my guess is that if you can do that then you are really not a nervous swimmer!

Take your time, stay relaxed ....it's just water and a relaxed person will find it easy to float.

Towing

Parking is not permitted on the race course for obvious safety reasons. Cars parked on the race course will be towed. The main location for moved vehicles will be the City Hall Parking Lot and the Memorial Arena Parking Lot. However some vehicles may be moved to just around the corner from where they are parked to get them off the race course.